Identifying the Stage of Grief

A 45-year-old male client has just received a terminal diagnosis of stage IV cancer. As his nurse, you are aware that the grieving process can involve several stages, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, according to Kübler-Ross. During one of your interactions, he expresses to you, 'I don’t believe I have cancer, the doctors must have made a mistake.' In this statement, the client is demonstrating the stage of grief known as _____________.